Catholic Culture Trusted Commentary
Catholic Culture Trusted Commentary

Fathers of the Church

Epistles on the Arian Heresy and the Deposition of Arius: IV.—epistle to Aeglon, Bishop of Cynopolis, against the Arians

Description

Brief philosophical definitions of natural will and natural operation.

Provenance

Alexander was the patriarch of Alexandria, who died in 326 A.D. His appointment as patriarch excluded the ambitious heretic Arius from the position. The Arian heresy was condemned in Alexandria, and later at the Council of Nicaea, whose statements Alexander composed. During his priesthood Alexander heroically persevered under the persecutions of Galerius, Maximinus, and others. Before Peter of Alexandria's martyrdom, Alexander and Achillas interceded for Arius to the Pope. When Achillas succeeded Peter, Arius was ordained a priest, and he continued to be tolerated under Alexander until his heresy was finally condemned.

by Alexander of Alexandria in Early fourth century. | translated by Rev. James B. H. Hawkins, M.A

From a letter of St. Alexander, bishop of Alexandria, to AEglon, bishop of Cynopolis, against the Arians.

1. Natural will is the free faculty of every intelligent nature as having nothing involuntary which is in respect of its essence.

2. Natural operation is the innate motion of all substance. Natural operation is the substantial and notifying reason of every nature. Natural operation is the notifying virtue of every substance.

Taken from "The Early Church Fathers and Other Works" originally published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co. in English in Edinburgh, Scotland beginning in 1867. (ANF 6, Roberts and Donaldson). The digital version is by The Electronic Bible Society, P.O. Box 701356, Dallas, TX 75370, 214-407-WORD.

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